In the high-stakes Super Fours clash of the Men’s T20 Asia Cup at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan lit up the field with a fiery 34-ball fifty against India. But his bold celebration—a mock gunfire gesture—quickly turned heads and sparked a firestorm on social media.
Fans couldn’t miss the moment as Farhan’s video went viral Sunday. In the intense India-Pakistan rivalry, every move gets dissected, and this one hit a nerve. Indian supporters linked it to painful memories, like the deadly Pahalgam attack where Pakistan-backed terrorists killed innocent tourists. That tragedy prompted India’s Operation Sindoor, a strong retaliation against terror camps in Pakistan, escalating tensions between the nations.
The bad blood runs deep in cricket too. India has suspended bilateral series with Pakistan, sticking to matches only in big multi-nation events run by the ACC or ICC. Just think back to their last Asia Cup meeting in Dubai—Indian players skipped post-match handshakes with the Pakistan side. Some now see Farhan’s gesture as a jab at that snub.
Farhan has pulled off this same celebration before, like in the Pakistan Super League, without much fuss. But facing India? It struck a raw chord, tying into losses of Indian soldiers and civilians from terror acts. One fan, @Sidyously on social media, fumed: “This isn’t just a celebration. It’s a straight-up mockery of the lives lost by Indian soldiers and citizens. ICC needs to take serious action against Sahibzada Farhan for this disgrace.”
Not everyone agrees—some Pakistan fans frame it as a nod to their armed forces. Still, the controversy overshadowed Farhan’s stellar knock.
On the scoreboard, Farhan’s 58 runs anchored Pakistan’s 171/5 in 20 overs. He smashed boundaries with smart footwork, shaking up India’s bowlers right from the Powerplay. Teaming up with Saim Ayub for a 72-run second-wicket stand, Pakistan raced to 91/1 after 10 overs. Farhan even targeted a rusty Jasprit Bumrah, who leaked 34 runs in his first three overs.
Faheem Ashraf chipped in with a quick 20 not out off eight balls to boost the total late. Pakistan eyed an even bigger score until India’s Shivam Dube tightened the screws, slowing the momentum. As the Asia Cup heats up, this Pakistan vs India showdown reminds us why their cricket battles always pack extra drama.
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